Motor-controlling apparatus.



E. L. GALE, Sn. MOTOR CONTROLLING APPAB-ATU uruouxon FIL'ED n07. 21, '1'9o6'.

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/ hrmuusr and designate mains which are-con-I UNITED STATES: PATENT orrron,

ERNEST I4. GALE, SR., 016 YONKERS, NEW YORK, ASSIGNOR TQ C J'IIS ELEVATOR COM:

PANY, OF JERSEY CITY, NEW JERSEY, A CORPORATION OF NEW JERSZZ'l lltOTOR-CONTROLLING APPARATUS.

I To all whom it may concern:

Be'it known that I, ERNEST L. GALE, Sr, a citizenof the United States, residing at Yonkers, in the county of WVestchester and State of New York, have invented a new and useful Improvement in Motor-Controlling Apparatus, of which the following is a specification.

. My invention relates to apparatus for controlling electric currents, and more par-- ticularly those used for starting and controlling electric motors.

One of the objects of my inventio'nis the provision of simple and efficient means for automatically controlling electric motors with minimum consumption of current.

A further'object of my invention is the provision 'of a reversing switch of the grav-i ity type in an automatic current controlling system.

Another object of the present invention is? the provision of an electro-magnetic reversing switch for an electric motor and means' .for reducing the current for operating said: switch to substantially zero after the motor has attained a predetermined speed.

Other objects of the invention will appear hereinaftergthe novel combinations of elements being pointed out in the claims.

In the accompanying diagram of circuits and connections there is illustrated one form of my inventlon. 1 deslgnates a motor armature, a shunt field coil being designated by the reference number 9. Although a rotary motor is here shown which is adapted to be controlled by the apparatus. hereinafter described, I wishit to be understood that such a motor is here shown only by way of illustration, and that other electric devices desired to, be con trolled may be substituted therefor; such for example, as a series alternating current motor of the commutator type, a reciprocating motor, or an electromagnetic"device, etc.

designates an opposition element which is here shown diagrammatically as an ohmic resistance, but which may be resistance and inductance or inductance alone, or capacity, etc, depending upon the nature of the current used. This opposition element is usually proportioned in the well known way to prevent excessive current from passing.

through the motor upon starting the same.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Application filed November 21, 1908.

Patented July 7, 1914. Serial No. 344,490.

.nected directly to the reversing switch R the contacts 25, 24 which are insulated from each other and mounted on the switch lever 22 which'is pivoted at 23. A downwardly extending arm of the lever 22 has a pin-and-slot connection 39 with the stem 18 which rigidly connects the cores 4O, 40 of the reversing switch magnet-solenoidsdl, 41, respectively. It will be seen that the switch lever 22. is so arranged with regard to the spring-pressed contacts that it will be held by gravity in either of its stationary positions, and that the po jxidn of said lever can be changed from one siide 'to the other by the revcrsing switch magnets.

Connected to the wire 10 at the point 61 is a wire 11 which leads to thesolenoid 2 A. wire 12 connects the other terminal of the solenoid 2 to the fixed contact strips 44 and 44 of the manually operated switch 42. When the switch lever 43 is moved onto either of these contact strips, a circuit is completed from the positive to the negative m'ainthrough the motor armature and solenoid 2 to excite the latter and cause the same to lift its core 8 and thereby insert the opposition element 4; in circuit with the motor armature 1, said opposition element being normally short-circuited by the wires 10, 16 and 17, contacts 5 and 6, and the bridge piece 7. The bridge piece 7 is con nected to the core 8, and therefore when the latter is lifted, the contacts 5 and 6 are electrically disconnected.

The circuit through the solenoid 2 may be traced from the positive main through the wire 2 to the contacts 29 and 24, and thence by way ol wire 13 to and through motor armature 1, wire 14, contacts 25 and 28', wires 15, 10, 11, solenoid 2*, wire 12, contact strip 44 or i l, and switch lever 13 tot the negative main. While the short circuit around the opposition element 4 is still closed, the small current which passes through the circuit justtrace'd will not be sufhcientto operate the motor nor to injure magnet solenoids 41 or 41 '47 or 47.

the same by excessive Current, by reason of the resistance of the solenoid 2 The operation of inserting the startin resistance is done so quickly, however t at the motor starts immediately after the manual switch is closed. Furthermore, it will be noticed that a shuntjcircuit is completed from the 'point 51 through resistance 46, wire 52, contacts 4, 3, and bridge piece 7-, and wire 52 to the int 50, around the motor armature 1, t us shunting away part of the current from the latter. Although the resistance 4* is inserted in serieswith the motor armature 1 by the lifting of the core 8 and, bridge piece 7, the motor circuit indicated by the heavy lines is still open at the contacts 5, 6 and the bridge piece 7 is not lifted at this time so the circuit through the solenoid 2 is still open at the 'manual switch 42.

I When the switch lever 43 is moved in either direction it first engages contact strip 45 or 45 to complete a circuit from the point 50 through one of the reversing switch by way of wires The lever 43 next engages the contact strip 44 or 44 to effect the excitation of the solenoid 2*, When said lever is moved to one of its extreme positions it engages also the contact 26 or 26 and thus closes a circuit through the solenoid 2 by way of wire 55, wire 27, contact 26 or 26, lever 43 and wire 54 to the main. The bridge piece 7 will thereupon be lifted to electrically connect the contacts 5 and 6 and thus close the motor circuit; the solenoid 2, core 8 contacts 5 6 and bridge piece 7 E comprise an electromagnetic switch in this instance.

The operation of the system may be understood from the following explanation: Let it be assumed that the switch lever 43 is moved to the left so as to engage the contact 45. At this time the motor circuit is open at the main line switch comprising the contacts 5 and 6 but a circuit may be traced from the main through the contacts 29. 24, wire 13, armature 1, wire 14,

contacts 25, 28, wires 15, 58, solenoid 41,

wire 47, contact strip 45, lever 43, to the 'main. At the same time a parallel circuit through the solenoid 41 is closed by way of wire 2, resistance 46, Wire 52, contacts 4 and 3, bridge piece 7 wires 52 and 58, solenoid 41, wire 47, contact strip 45, and lever 43 to the main. The core 40 will therefore be drawn to the right and the lever 22 and parts connected therewith will be thrown to their left-hand position where they will be held by gravity assisted by the pull on the switch solenoid 41. therefore be noticed that when'the contacts 24, 25 leave the contacts 29,'28', respectively, the solenoid 41 still receives current, and the lever 22 is acted upon by the sole- It will I noid 41 from its initial position to its final position. In other words, one of the parallel circuits through the solenoid 41, namely, the circuit including the switch contacts 25 and '28, will be opened while the switch lever 22 is in the act of being thrown from one side to the other; the parallel circuit by way of the resistance 46 through the solenoid 41, as before pointed out, is maintained, however. Now if the lever 43 moved to its right-hand position it will engage the contact strip 45 to effect the excitation of the solenoid 41 to move the lever 22 back to its right-hand position. In this case as soon as the contacts 25, 24, leave the contacts 28, 29, respectively, one of the parallel circuits including the solenoid 41 is opened, but the other parallel circuit is maintained as before and the lever 22 is thrown over to effect a reversal of the motor connections. If desired, the contacts 24, 25 may be spring-pressed and those designated 28, 29, 28, 29 fixed. Upon further movement of the lever 43 to the left, the contact strip 44 is also engaged, where upon a shunt circuit will be completed from a point 61 through the wire 11, solenoid 2, wire 12, contact strip 44, lever 43 to the main. The bridge piece 7 will then be lifted and the resistance 4 inserted in series with the motor armature 1. WVhen the lever 43 is moved to its extreme left-hand position a circuit is completed from the main through wire 55, solenoid 2 wire 27', to the main. The energization of the main line switch magnet will cause the brid e piece 7 to be lifted upwardly to connect the contacts 5 and 6. The lever 22 being in its left-hand position, the motor circuit may be traced from the main through wires 2, contacts 28, 25, wire 14, armature 1, wire 13, contacts 24, 29, wires 15, 15, re sistance 4 wire 17 contact 5 plate 7 contact 6 wire 54, to the main. If the lever 43 were moved to its extreme right-hand position, the lever 22 would be thrown to its right-hand position and the motor-armature circuit thus traced will be altered in a well known manner to effect a reversal of rotation of said armature.

It should be noted that the solenoid 2 and shunt field 9 are connected directly across the mains, whereas the solenoid 2 and the solenoids 41, 41 are connected across the opposition element 4 Upon the closing of the automatic main line switch by .means of the solenoid 2 the motor will start at slow speed-and a potential will be maintained across the opposition element 4 to keep the solenoid 2 suflicicntly energized to hold the bridge piece 7 in its uppermost position. As the armature attains a predetermined speed the potential across the opposition element 4 will decrease gradually until the current passing through the solenoid 9/ will no longer besufiicient to hold the bridge piece 7 in its lifted position. The short-circuit "around said opposi- 6 tion element will therefore be automatically closed. This will also have the effect of short-circuiting the solenoids 2 and 41 or 41', thus substantially eliminating the current therein.

.So long as the switch lever 43 is held in .10 one of its extreme positions the motor will continue to run at full speed. When it is desired to stop the motor the lever 43 is moved out of engagement with the contact 26, whereupon the bridge piece 7 will drop to electrically connect the contacts 3 and 4 and thus close a local circuit including the armature l and resistance 46. This local circuit is an electr'o-dynamic brake circuit and may be traced from the armature l'through wire 13, contacts 24 and 29, resistance 46, wire 52, contacts 3, 4 and bridge piece 7 wires .52, 15, contacts 28, 25, and wire 14 back to the motor-armature l. The motor is now running as .a generator, being driven 26 by the momentum of the moving parts or by the load on the motor which may be a descending elevator car connected through hoisting mechanism 'to said motor.

In order to. again start the motor, the

so switch-lever 43 may be brought into engagement with the contact 26 or 26 which will have the efi'ect of closin the automatic main line switch, thus opening the electrodynamic brake circuit and closing the main line circuit through the motor armature, so that the current may again drive the motor and cause the same to do work. When the motor is stopped in the manner explained, the solenoid 2* remains deenergized, but 40 upon again starting the motor, the'resistance 4 will be inserted in series with the motor armature and then automatically shortcircuited to bring the motor u to full speed. It will therefore be at in ,4? order to stop the motor the switch 43 s ioul'd be brought back to central position, when the electrosdynamic brake circuit will be closed to gradually slow down the mo and if desired, any well known brake-ap 5o ing means may be held in released position by anelectro-magnet connected across the mains, while the motor is operated, said electro-magnet being disconnected from the mains when the lever 43 is. brought to central position. 1 I

Obviously those skilled in'the art may make various changes in the details and arrangement of parts of my invention without departing from the spirit and scope thereo of, and I desire therefore not to be limited to the precise construction herein disclosed. Having thus described my invention, what I c aim and desire to have protected by Letter Patent of the United States is eh 1-. In current controlling apparatus, the

combination with a motor, of a reversing switch therefor, an electro-magnet initially in circuit with the armature of said motor for operating said switch, and means for substantially eliminating the current in said electro-magnet upon the motor attaining a predetermined speed.

2. In current-controlling apparatus, the comblnation with a motor, of a reverslng switch of the gravity type comprising a 5 f combination with a motor, of an opposition element, a reversing switch of the gravity type for said motor, two electro-magnets for operating said reversing switch to either of 9C its stationary positions, a controlling electromagnet, a manual switch for connecting one of said reversing switch magnets and said controlling magnet across the opposition element, and a switch operated by said controlling magnet to initially insert said 0pposition element in circuit with the motor and thereafter short-circuit saidopposition element and substantially eliminate the current in. the reversing switch magnet and in said controlling magnet.

4. In motor controlling apparatus, the combination with a motor, of starting resistance, an additional resistance in parallel with the motor-armature, means for initially inserting said starting resistance in series with the motor-armature, and thereafter automatically cutting out said resist ance upon the motor attaining a predetermined'speed, and means for cutting out said additional resistanceand closing the main line circuit.

J 5 In motor-controlling apparatus, the combination with a motor, of starting resist ance therefor, a reversing switch of the gravity type, electro-magnets for operating said reversing switch, and a circuit in parallel to the motor-armature to maintain either of said magnets energized while the switch is being moved from one position to another.

6. In motor-controlling apparatus, the combination with a motor, a reversing switch comprising a member having two positions, elcctromagnets for operating said reversing switch, and a circuit in parallel to the motorarmature to maintain one of said magnets energized while said member is being moved from one position to another.

7. In motor-controlling apparatus, the combination with a motor, of a normally closed resistance circuit in parallel to the motor-armature, a reversing switch, electromagnets connected to receive current through said resistance circuit and controlled thereby for operating said reversing switch, and means for opening said resistance circuit and closing the main line circuit.

8. In motor-controlling apparatus, the .combination with a motor, of reversing switches therefor,

starting resistance, means for initially inserting said resistance in series with the motor-armature, and for cutting out the same when the motor attains a predetermined speed, an automatic main line switch, an electro-dynamic brake circuit, means co-acting with said switch for controlling said brake circuit, and a manual switch for controlling said automatic main line switch and the controlling means coacting therewith.

9. In motor-controlling apparatus, combination with a motor, 'namic brake circuit for said motor, a reversing switch, electro-magnets for operating said reversing switch, and circuits and con- 'nectionsco-acting with a part of said electro-dynamic brake moved from'onc position to another.

10. In motor-controlling apparatus, the combination with a switch apparatus therefor, two electro-magnets for operating saidreversing switch, and

means for maintaining either of said switch magnets energized until the motor attains a,

predetermined speed and then substantially eliminating the current therein.

11. In motor-controlling apparatus, the combination with a motor, of a reversing switch comprising a single member having two positions, two electro-magnets for actuating said member, conductors aiiording a path for current through one of said electro magnets while the same is actuating the reversing switch member from one position to another, and means for controlling the connection between said conductors.

12. In motor-controlling apparatus, the combination with a reversing switch comprising a single arm having two positions, two electromagnets one for actuating said arm in one direction and the other for actuating said arm in the other direction, means for maintaining one of said electro-magnets energized while it'is actuating said arm from one position to the other, and means for sub stantially eliminatin the current in said. actuating electro-magnet after the reversing switch has been operated.

13. In motor-controlling apparatus, the combination with 'a reversing switch of the gravity type, of electro-magnets for operating said switch, a manual switch for eii'ect-.

they of an electro-dy-;

circuit for maintaining either of the reversing swltch magnets e11 ergized while the reversing switch is being motor, of reversing ing the energization of either of the said electro-magnets to throw the switch from one position to the other, an electro-ma netic main line switch controlled by said manual switch, anauxiliary switch co-acting with said electro-magnetic main line switch, said auxiliary switc being closed when said main line switch is open, and a circuit controlled by said auxiliary switch to .maintain either of said electro-magnets energized while the reversing switch is being thrown.

14. In motor-controlling apparatus, the combination with an electric motor, of reversing switch mechanism therefor, electromagnets for operating said reversing switch, a starting resistance, a switch normally short-circuiting said starting resistance, an electro-magnet for operating'said switch, a main line switch, an additional resistance normally connected in parallel to the armature, an auxiliary switch for controlling said additional resistance, an electro-magnet for controlling said main line switch and said auxiliary switch, and a single device for controlling all of the aforesaid electro-magnets. 7

15. In motor-controlling apparatus, the combination with an electric motor, of a reversing switch therefor, electro-magnetic mechanism for operating said reversing switch, starting resistance, an electro-magnetic switch for initially inserting said starting resistance and thereafter cutting out the same upon the motor attaining a predetermined speed, an electro-magnetic main line switch, means for maintaining a supply of current to said electro-magnetic mechanism, to said electro-magnetic switch for he insertion 01" the starting resistance, and to the electro-magnetie main line switch, and to effect the substantial elimination oi current in said electro-magnetic mechanism and in the electroanagnet for operating the starting resistance switch, after the motor has attained a predetermined speed.

16. The, combination with an electric motor, of starting resistance therefor, means for inserting said resistance, a main line switch, and a circuit controlling device arranged first to energize and effect the operation of the resistance inserting means and thereafter energize and effect the operation of the main line switch, whereupon the said resistance inserting means is automatically restored to original position to cut out said resistance.

17. In motor-controlling apparatus, the combination with a motor, of starting re sistance, a reversing switch for the motor, electro-magnetic mechanism for operating said switch, an accelerating switch, an elec* tro-magnet for controlling said accelerating switch in ac e-dance with the speed of the motor, and circuits and connections for effecting the supply of current to said electromagnetic mechanism and said accelerating switch controllin electro-magnet for a brief period oftime o y.

n motor-controlling apparatus, the com at'ion with a direct current motor, of starting resistance in circuit therewith, a reversing switch for controlling said motor, an electro-magnet for operating said switch, and means for eliminatmgsubstantially all the current in said electro-magnet when said startin resistance is cut out.

19. n motor-controlling apparatus, the combination with adirect current motor, of starting resistance in circuit therewith, a reversing switch for the motor, electro-ma netic mechanism for operating said switc means for controlli said'starting resistance, and circuits an connections for effecting the substantial elimination of current from all circuits except those of the motor .tain either 0 said magnets energized .while the switch is being moved from one position to another. In testimony whereof, I have signed my name to this specification in the presence of two subscribing witnesses.

ERNEST L. GALE, Sn.

Witnesses ALFRED 0. Beam, Cans. M. NISSEN. 

